DECEMBER IN THE PLAYROM
The playroom welcomes children from the age of three months and older. The majority of the time these children happily and excitedly come to play and learn with each other and the staff. However, at times, sounds of joy and laughter are replaced by tears of sadness and sometimes anger. In those moments, the staff spend extra time and attention with those not-so-happy children. Often, the attempts to console and distract those children are successful, and they soon become engaged in play. This, however, isn’t always the case and some additional reassurance and guidance from their parent/caregiver may be needed. Transitioning to the playroom can be difficult, but the staff are always here to support the children and the families to help ensure that it continues to be a safe place where children happily come to play and learn.
Stress
-Center on the Developing Child
Brief increase in heart rate, mild elevations in stress hormones levels.
Serious, temporary stress responses, buffered by supportive relationships.
Prolonged activation of stress response systems in the absence of protective relationships.
As described below, these three terms refer to the stress response systems’ effects on the body, not to the stressful event or experience itself:
Positive stress response is a normal and essential part of healthy development, characterized by brief increases in heart rate and mild elevations in hormone levels. Some situations that might trigger a positive stress response are the first day with a new caregiver or receiving an injected immunization.
- Tolerable stress response activates the body’s alert systems to a greater degree as a result of more severe, longer-lasting difficulties, such as the loss of a loved one, a natural disaster, or a frightening injury. If the activation is time-limited and buffered by relationships with adults who help the child adapt, the brain and other organs recover from what might otherwise be damaging effects.
Toxic stress response can occur when a child experiences strong, frequent, and/or prolonged adversity—such as physical or emotional abuse, chronic neglect, caregiver substance abuse or mental illness, exposure to violence, and/or the accumulated burdens of family economic hardship—without adequate adult support. This kind of prolonged activation of the stress response systems can disrupt the development of brain architecture and other organ systems, and increase the risk for stress-related disease and cognitive impairment, well into the adult years.When toxic stress response occurs continually, or is triggered by multiple sources, it can have a cumulative toll on an individual’s physical and mental health—for a lifetime. The more adverse experiences in childhood, the greater the likelihood of developmental delays and later health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, substance abuse, and depression. Effective stress management helps you break the hold stress has on your life, so you can be happier, healthier, and more productive.
Music Circle
On Mondays at 11:30 a music therapist comes and leads parents and children in a ½ hour of singing and stories. Children learn songs, do a little dancing and make a lot of wonderful noise. December dates are the 4th and 11th.
Wiggle, Giggle and Munch
Wednesday mornings from 10 – 12 we have Wiggle, Giggle & Munch for children who are into movement. The morning includes physical activities, a craft, circle time and a nutritious snack. December date is the 6th. All our programs are run on a drop-in basis. You do not have to pre-register. Just come on the days that work for you and your family. For more information, please call us at 204-788-8055.